10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men. Acts 17:10–12
To be known as a Berean is to be known as one who studies the scriptures independently to be assured that what is taught is true.
In the ancient past a “Sunday School” class bearing the name “Berean” was comprised of “Bible Thumpers,” those most likely to carry their massive and tattered study Bibles in protective carrying cases, whose immediate response to the point made by the retired pastor teaching them was to lick their finger to find another passage where the key word was also used. Would that we all be Bereans!
The original version was indeed from Berea and described by Luke as more noble-minded than the Thessalonians. Whether the knock was true, the proof was in the pudding. They did their homework and many more came to Christ quicker including Jews. This tells me that the answers to our questions can be readily found in scripture, and in the case of the Bereans, they were consulting the “Old Testament.” Don’t be lost on the fact that you can make a convincing case for the claims of Jesus from what was written in former days.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
The Bereans were also marked by their great eagerness to learn and their consistency of study (daily). Why can’t the Bible be a book you “can’t put it down” or a “real page turner?” Be assured that we will be markedly changed by this voracious approach to the word of God!
The most telling sign of an authentic Christian is a well-worn and marked up Bible. Imagine walking through life where everything experienced has some basis or explanation in the Word! This is said in jest since, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 5:16-17)
Be noble-minded!
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